THERE is a growing rift between some members of a Flintshire community and its local football club over proposed changes to its ground.

Hawarden Rangers have been informed by Football Association Wales (FAW) that to remain in tier three of the FAW football pyramid, their ground at Gladstone playing fields needs to undergo changes.

These include a seated area for up to 100 spectators by the 2021-22 season, along with ensuring there is parking for at least 10 cars.

They must also widen the senior team's playing surface by seven meters to meet the required minimum 62 meters.

In March 2018, Hawarden Community Council approved plans for the 100 seater area subject to the outcome subsequent planning permission.

However, at its April 2019 meeting, the council decided not to support proposals to widen the pitch.

Cllr Clive Carver also asked that the council consider rescinding its decision to approve plans for the seating area.

This is because proposals have caused irk to some Hawarden residents, particularly some of those living in close proximity to the playing fields in Birch Rise and on the Highway.

These include concerns for the impact it will have on house prices in the locality, where the FAW will draw the line at ground regulations and increased anti-social behaviour inside the stand.

The scope of the issue is shown by the fact Monday and Tuesday of this week has seen Hawarden Community Council hold a public consultation on the pitch widening proposals at its base next to Gladstone playing fields.

An extension of the consulation period has been organised and will take place on Thursday evening between 5pm and 6.30pm.

A concerned resident said: "The prices of houses next to Gladstone playing fields will plunge.

"There will be a stand there which will attract anti-social behaviour as youths will gather and cause trouble in the form of vandalism or drug use.

"We weren't adequately notified of the approved plans for the stand, I don't use the internet much, if at all, so was unaware this was an item on the March 2018 meeting agenda.

"This is a playing field for kids, not a football stadium.

"The parking is already a nightmare where I live on Saturday, cars parked on both sides of the road and mud left lying around where players have banged their boots together.

"I know Hawarden Rangers have these regulations to meet, so why can't they groundshare with another club? There are plenty in Flintshire in very close proximity to Hawarden who already have stands and the like.

"My concern is where the FAW will draw the line with these regulations, it's a 100 seater stand one minute and then will be floodlights the next."

An anonymous leaflet raising similar concerns has also been posted through the doors of Hawarden residents, something members of Hawarden Rangers say is misleading.

Lynn Owen, club chairman, said: "The leaflet being posted through people's doors and shared on social media is very misleading.

"It includes a picture of Airbus FC's stadium, with floodlights and a 500 seater stand.

"That is nothing like what we're proposing, it's a covered seating area for 100 people, I wouldn't even call it a stand.

"And to include a picture of a stadium with floodlights is just event more unrepresentative of our proposals, there are simply no plans for floodlights or anything like that."

Founded in 1974, Hawarden Rangers is a club steeped in history, and is well known for producing excellent young players; with past players including the likes of Ian Rush, Michael Owen and former Everton and Wales international Barry Horne.

The club is currently made up of 250 juniors and 70 senior members.

But the current row leaves the future of the prestigious club uncertain, councillors and club members have said.

Ant Turton, Hawarden community councillor, said: "The future of the club could possibly be in doubt, without the tier three criteria the club will never achieve a higher standard.

"The selling point of any community club I think should be to aspire for all our youth players to want to play at the highest possible standard.

"I'm not sure if it's on everyone's mind but with the likes of Airbus, Flint, Mold, Holywell all having better facilities, the gap will only widen between us and all the other clubs. Even the likes of FC Nomads and Saltney are meeting criteria we are trying to achieve."

George Thomas, vice captain of Hawarden Rangers, added: "I can’t believe how blown out of proportion this has become. The public consultation is on whether to simply widen the pitch because the FAW have introduced new regulations that pitches need to be certain size.

"The residents of Birch Rise and the Highway who have taken issue with this have the ultimate end goal of removing the football club all together, and depriving 250 children and 40 adults the opportunity to play football for their local team.

"They need to realise that the football pitch and the football team were there long before they were.”